View report page

In the wider field one would wish to see the activities of local authorities extended
on behalf of the unsupported mother, and beyond the scope of the National Health
Service Act. The point at which a woman decides to keep her child is the point at
which she is most vulnerable and in need of help.
The responsibility for solving her dilemma must surely rest with the statutory
welfare departments if she has no home to which she can go.
One solution would be the provision of housing in small units within the com
munity as part of a complete service, and on a permanent basis.
I am indebted to Miss H. Oliver, Social Welfare Worker, for these observations
on the care of the unsupported mother and her child.
Total Number of Cases referred in 1966 :—
Total
Unsupported mothers
175
Referred by
Medical Social Workers
78
Health Visitors
15
Doctors
29
Statutory Social Workers
10
Voluntary Social Workers
22
N.C.U.M.C.
19
Citizens' Advice Bureau
2
175
The Mothers
Marital Status
Single 157
Married 6
Separated 10
Divorced 2
Education
Sec. Mod. 125
Grammar 32
Public 3
Convent 10
Training
College 4
University 1
Domicile
In area 134
Outside area 41
Religion
C. of E. 128
Free Church 8
R.C. 37
Greek
Orthodox 2
Occupation
Nurses 19
Students 13
Hairdressers 14
Factory 3 3
Office Workers 59
Domestic and
Hotel
Workers 17
Civil Servants 5
Housewives 3
Shop
Assistants 3
Pastry Cooks 3
Bus
Conductresses 2
Dress Makers 2
Florist 1
Children's
Nannie 1
Ages
15 years 3
16 „ 9
17 „ 21
18 „ 16
19 „ 25
20 38
21-30 52
31-40 11
Countries of origin
other than G.B.
Ireland 27
Holland 1
Sweden 1
New Zealand 2
Australia 2
W. Germany 1
Cyprus 2
18